What is required to earn a CD?

Beginning with the Class of 2010, a student
must achieve:

A minimum score of 240 (Proficient
level) on the Grade 10 English
Language Arts (ELA) and Grade 10
Mathematics MCAS tests or Retests.
or


A Student and Parent’s Guide to the
Competency Determination and
Educational Proficiency Plans
What is a Competency Determination?
The Competency Determination (CD) is a
requirement for earning a high school diploma
under Massachusetts state law. A student must
also meet local requirements for graduation.
graduation.
A minimum score of 220 (Needs
Improvement level) on the Grade 10
ELA and Grade 10 Mathematics
MCAS tests or Retests and
successfully complete an Educational
Proficiency Plan (EPP).
Beginning with the Class of 2010, a student
must also achieve a minimum score of 220
(Needs Improvement level) on one of the
four high school Science and Technology/
Engineering MCAS tests.
 Biology;
 Chemistry;
 Introductory Physics; or
 Technology/Engineering.
What is an Educational Proficiency Plan
(EPP)?
An EPP is a plan that schools develop to help
individual students make progress towards
proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA)
and/or Mathematics.
The purpose of the EPP is to help a student
acquire the knowledge and develop the skills he
or she needs to be ready for higher education
and/or a career after high school.
Each EPP must include:

A review of the student’s strengths and
weaknesses based on MCAS tests and other
assessment results, coursework, grades, and
teacher input.

A list of the courses in the relevant ELA
and/or Mathematics content areas that the
student must take and complete
successfully in grades 11 and 12.

A description of the assessments the school
will use at least once each year to make
sure that the student is making progress
toward or has achieved proficiency.
Who needs an Educational Proficiency
Plan?
School districts are required to develop EPPs
for any high school student who has not met the
minimum Proficient level score of 240 on
either or both of the Grade 10 English
Language Arts (ELA) and Grade 10
Mathematics MCAS tests.
What happens if a student has not yet
scored in the Needs Improvement level
on the MCAS?
A student who has not yet achieved the
minimum Needs Improvement score of 220
must take the MCAS retest in one or both
subject areas (ELA /Math).
The school principal makes the final
determination whether or not the student has
successfully completed the EPP.
It is important to note that a student may never
score at the proficient level on a locally
developed assessment but can earn a CD as
long as the principal can document that the
student is moving toward proficiency.
What is the parents’ role?
The EPP is an opportunity for the student,
parents, and educators to work together to plan
for success during and after high school.
Beginning with the Class of 2010, a student
must also meet or exceed the Needs
Improvement score of 220 on one of the four
Science and Technology/Engineering MCAS
tests. Students who do reach the Needs
Improvement score of 220 or above are not
required to take the MCAS tests again.
How does a student successfully
complete the EPP?
To successfully complete the EPP a student
must complete both of the following:
 Meet the school district’s requirements for
completing the coursework identified in the
EPP, and
 Demonstrate on an annual assessment that
he or she has attained or is moving toward
proficiency in the subject area.
What does the EPP requirement mean
for my child?
Your child will now have to meet an additional
requirement before he or she earns a high
school diploma. The EPP will lay out
challenging courses designed to equip your
child with the skills and knowledge he or she
needs to succeed in college and a career.
A student already enrolled in four years of
mathematics and English language arts classes
who also needs an EPP should not notice a
difference in his or her course work. A student
will be encouraged and supported to take
rigorous courses that will better prepare him or
her for postsecondary education and careers.
The EPP is not intended to promote test prep or
remedial courses for the junior and senior years
of high school. The intent of the EPP is to help
a student become proficient at Grade 10
learning standards and beyond.
Parents of a high school student who scores
below the 240 Proficient level on either or both
the Grade 10 ELA and Grade 10 Mathematics
MCAS tests should speak with the school
principal or school counselor to discuss an EPP
for their child. Parents may also want to seek
guidance on how they can best support their
child to qualify for a CD and graduate with a
high school diploma.
For more information go to
http://www.doe.mass.edu/hsreform/epp or
contact your school principal or guidance
counselor.